HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 2213001501v1 221/3/712    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pacella, C. M. Articles by Rossi, Z. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pacella, C. M. Articles by Rossi, Z.

Laser Thermal Ablation in the Treatment of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Results in 74 Patients¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (C.M.P., G.B., V.A., A.B., D.V., S.P., G.M.) and Endocrine, Metabolic, and Digestive Diseases (Z.R.), Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Via St Francesco 50, 00041 Albano Laziale, Rome, Italy; the Gastroenterology Unit, St Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy (F.M.); and the Diagnostic Radiology Service, St Anna Hospital, Como, Italy (P.C., B.C.). From the 2000 RSNA scientific assembly. Received September 6, 2000; revision requested October 20; final revision received May 7, 2001; accepted June 5. Address correspondence to C.M.P. (e-mail: cmpacel@katamail.com).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, local effectiveness, and long-term results of laser thermal ablation (LTA) in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-two biopsies proved small HCCs (range, 0.8–4.0 cm) in 74 patients who were treated percutaneously with LTA in an outpatient clinic. A laser at a power of 5.0 W was coupled with one to four fibers that were advanced through 21-gauge needle(s) for 6–12 minutes. All lesions were evaluated with computed tomography (CT) for changes in size and vascular pattern, recurrence rates, and cumulative survival rates. Patients were examined for complications.

RESULTS: No major complications occurred in 117 LTA sessions, with an average of 1.3 sessions per tumor. At 3 months, CT scans showed a nonenhancing area (complete necrosis) in 89 (97%) of 92 lesions. During follow-up (range, 6–66 months; mean, 25.3 months), 84 tumors (91%) decreased in size. The local recurrence rates (range, 1–5 years) ranged from 1.6% to 6.0%. Recurrence rates (range, 12–60 months) in other liver segments ranged from 24% to 73%. Cancer-free survival rates (range, 1–4 years) ranged from 73% to 24%. Overall survival rates were 99%, 68%, and 15% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Twenty-one patients (28%) died.

CONCLUSION: LTA is a safe and effective treatment for small HCC.

Index terms: Lasers, interstitial therapy, 761.1299 • Liver, interventional procedures, 761.1299 • Liver neoplasms, 761.323 • Liver neoplasms, therapy, 761.1266, 761.1299, 761.323

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. Arienti, S. Pretolani, C. M. Pacella, F. Magnolfi, B. Caspani, G. Francica, A. S. Megna, R. Regine, M. Sponza, E. Antico, et al. Complications of Laser Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study Radiology, March 1, 2008; 246(3): 947 - 955. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Liapi and J.-F. H. Geschwind Transcatheter and Ablative Therapeutic Approaches for Solid Malignancies J. Clin. Oncol., March 10, 2007; 25(8): 978 - 986. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Badruddoja Ablative Therapy of Malignant Liver Neoplasm Arch Surg, September 1, 2006; 141(9): 947 - 947. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. J. Maddern Ablative Therapy of Malignant Liver Neoplasm--Reply Arch Surg, September 1, 2006; 141(9): 947 - 948. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Maataoui, J. Qian, M. G. Mack, M. F. Khan, E. Oppermann, M. Roozru, S. Schmidt, W. O. Bechstein, and T. J. Vogl Liver Metastases in Rats: Chemoembolization Combined with Interstitial Laser Ablation for Treatment Radiology, November 1, 2005; 237(2): 479 - 484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. S. Gazelle, P. M. McMahon, M. T. Beinfeld, E. F. Halpern, and M. C. Weinstein Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma: Cost-effectiveness of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation versus That of Hepatic Resection Radiology, December 1, 2004; 233(3): 729 - 739. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A R Gillams Liver ablation therapy Br. J. Radiol., September 1, 2004; 77(921): 713 - 723. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Lewin, S. G. Nour, C. F. Connell, A. Sulman, J. L. Duerk, M. I. Resnick, and J. R. Haaga Phase II Clinical Trial of Interactive MR Imaging-guided Interstitial Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of Primary Kidney Tumors: Initial Experience Radiology, September 1, 2004; 232(3): 835 - 845. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Pacella, G. Bizzarri, S. Spiezia, A. Bianchini, R. Guglielmi, A. Crescenzi, S. Pacella, V. Toscano, and E. Papini Thyroid Tissue: US-guided Percutaneous Laser Thermal Ablation Radiology, July 1, 2004; 232(1): 272 - 280. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Giorgio, L. Tarantino, G. de Stefano, G. Francica, F. Esposito, A. Perrotta, V. Aloisio, N. Farella, N. Mariniello, C. Coppola, et al. Complications After Interventional Sonography of Focal Liver Lesions: A 22-Year Single-Center Experience J. Ultrasound Med., February 1, 2003; 22(2): 193 - 205. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Krinsky Terminology of Hepatocellular Nodules in Cirrhosis: Plea for Consistency Radiology, September 1, 2002; 224(3): 638 - 638. [Full Text] [PDF]